Seattle mayor pardons tofu turkey ahead of Thanksgiving

Murray posed for photos with the phony fowl at City Hall to draw attention to “hunger in our community” ahead of Thanksgiving and the holiday season, spokesman Jason Kelly said.

The stunt wasn’t a nod to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Kelly says. PETA has asked President Obama to scrap the annual White House turkey pardon, arguing the tradition benefits the poultry industry.

“The mayor has a sense of humor,” Kelly said. “He wanted to do something that would attract attention.”

Added Kelly, “He was also poking fun at himself as a public official. Seattle has a reputation around the country for being a little bit ‘granola.’ ”

Food banks throughout the city are oversubscribed, Kelly said.

“People should think about families in their neighborhoods who need additional help and should donate as much as they can,” he said.

The tofu turkey, named Braeburn after the apple variety, will “live out its natural life” at the Rainier Valley Food Bank, said Kelly.

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The Today File is a general news blog featuring real-time coverage of Seattle and the Northwest. It is reported by the news staff of The Seattle Times and includes stories from The Associated Press and McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.